Visa cardholders to get first shot at tickets for 2026 Fifa World Cup
The football fans across the world, possessing Visa cards will have an exclusive opportunity to apply for the Fifa 2026 World Cup tickets in the first phase through a program named Visa Presale Draw. The program will take place between 10th and 19th September, thanks to FIFA’s Official Payment Technology Partner. To participate in the Visa Presale Draw, Visa cardholders must log in to their FIFA.com/tickets account using their FIFA ID and complete the application form at any time during the ten-day application period to secure their chance to purchase tickets. Following a random selection process, FIFA will notify successful Visa cardholders by email beginning no earlier than 30 September. These Visa cardholders will be assigned a date and time slot in October during which they will be able to visit FIFA.com/tickets to purchase tickets (subject to availability). As FIFA’s exclusive payment provider during the first ticket sales phase, Visa ensures a fast, secure, and seamless checkout experience for sports fans around the world. “Excitement for the FIFA World Cup 26 is building fast, and 10th September is a date every football fan should have marked in their calendar,” said FIFA Chief Business Officer Romy Gai. “We’re delighted to once again partner with Visa to give fans the very first opportunity to secure their place at the greatest show on earth. A ticket to the FIFA World Cup isn’t just a ticket – it’s a gateway to the most inclusive and spectacular tournament in our history. Everyone will want to be part of this moment, so make sure you’ve created your FIFA ID and have your Visa card ready.” “We’re reaching a fever pitch with just months to go until kick-off, and Visa is proud to be leading the charge from midfield – connecting fans to the action and empowering local businesses to play their strongest game,” said Frank Cooper, Chief Marketing Officer at Visa. “This isn’t just about early access to tickets – it’s about unlocking opportunities across North America, fuelling the passion of the global football community and ensuring the economic impact of the tournament reaches far beyond the final whistle.”
Amorim pays the ticket for 30 ManU backroom staff to watch the Europa League final after the club denies!
In a bid to continue the curtailment of its overall costs, Manchester United management is reportedly refusing to pay for the costs of club staff members’ friends and family to watch the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur. Amidst the quandary, club manager Ruben Amorim has stepped in and offered to bear the costs of 30 members of the backroom staff. Football clubs usually offer to pay for friends and family members of the backroom staff to attend big-ticket finals. But with United currently undertaking a raft of severe cost-cutting measures, the club has reportedly told their coaches, physiotherapists, and support staff that there will be no complimentary tickets for next week’s final at Estadio San Mamés. Instead, staff members were told they could purchase up to two tickets from the club’s allocation of 15,000 seats for the game. The New York Times reported that even Manchester United’s players have only been granted two complimentary tickets for their family members to attend the final. Earlier in the year, Manchester United cut jobs and shut down the staff canteen at Old Trafford. It had also stopped the free lunches being offered to staff and instead offered them fruit. At Manchester United’s Carrington training base, players receive lunch as gratis while staff members are now offered soup and bread. Manchester United’s drastic financial belt-tightening measures come after five straight years of financial losses for the club. Both United and Tottenham are looking at the Europa League final as a face-saver for a season of woe, where they are currently in 16th and 17th spots in the Premier League, just above the relegation spots. United has suffered more defeats this season than in any campaign since the Premier League was launched in 1992. The joint-record 20-time English champion is also certain to record its worst-ever points total in that period, as well as its lowest finish.
